Foretell; Foretold
Declaring the Future Before It Happens
The concepts of foretelling and being foretold run through both Testaments of the Bible, touching on prophecy, divine sovereignty, and the validation of God's messengers. While several different Greek and Hebrew words stand behind the English terms, they all share the core idea of declaring something in advance of its occurrence.
Foretelling as God's Exclusive Right
The Old Testament presents the ability to foretell the future as a distinguishing mark of the true God. In Isaiah 41:22-23, God challenges the false gods of the nations: "Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods." The implication is clear: only the God of Israel can declare the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). This claim is repeated throughout Isaiah's prophecy, where God's ability to announce future events before they happen serves as proof of his sovereignty and uniqueness (Isaiah 42:9; 44:7; 48:3-5).
The Test of a True Prophet
Deuteronomy 18:22 establishes a practical test for distinguishing true prophets from false ones: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken." The fulfillment of foretold events served as the validation of a prophet's divine commission. This test protected Israel from false teachers while confirming the authority of genuine messengers of God.
New Testament Usage
In the New Testament, the vocabulary of foretelling shifts to several Greek terms. Jesus told his disciples in advance about his coming suffering and resurrection, saying he had "told them beforehand" (Mark 13:23). Peter preached in the temple that all the prophets "foretold these days" of the Messiah (Acts 3:24). Paul reminded the Corinthians that he had "said beforehand" what would happen if certain behaviors continued (2 Corinthians 13:2). In each case, the advance declaration served to strengthen faith when events unfolded as predicted.
The Prophetic Pattern of Promise and Fulfillment
The biblical concept of foretelling creates a pattern of promise and fulfillment that structures the entire narrative of Scripture. God foretold Abraham's descendants' slavery and deliverance (Genesis 15:13-14). Moses foretold the consequences of obedience and disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The prophets foretold exile and restoration. Jesus foretold his death and resurrection. This recurring pattern demonstrates that history is not random but directed by a God who knows the end from the beginning.
Foretelling and Faith
The purpose of foretelling in Scripture is not to satisfy curiosity about the future but to build faith in God's sovereignty and trustworthiness. When events come to pass as foretold, believers are strengthened in their confidence that God is in control. Jesus explicitly stated this purpose: "I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe" (John 14:29). Foretelling thus serves the pastoral function of anchoring faith in the demonstrated reliability of God's word.
Biblical Context
Foretelling appears in Isaiah's challenge to false gods (Isaiah 41:22-23; 42:9), the prophetic test in Deuteronomy 18:22, Jesus' predictions to his disciples (Mark 13:23; John 14:29), Peter's sermon at the temple (Acts 3:24), and Paul's warnings to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 13:2). The concept spans the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation.
Theological Significance
Foretelling demonstrates God's unique sovereignty over time and history. It serves as proof of his deity, validation of his prophets, and a means of strengthening faith. The pattern of foretelling and fulfillment structures the Bible's narrative, connecting God's promises to their eventual realization and pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Historical Background
Divination and prediction of future events were widespread in the ancient Near East, with Babylonian, Egyptian, and Canaanite cultures all employing various methods including astrology, liver reading, and oracle consultation. The biblical prophets sharply distinguished their foretelling from these pagan practices, insisting that their words came directly from God rather than through manipulative techniques. The fulfillment test in Deuteronomy set Israel's prophetic tradition apart from neighboring practices.